VERONICA Kelly (Kilrea) and Sinead Collins (Gort) produced two superb performances to claim the All-Ireland Women’s Silver and Bronze Medals respectively at Headfort Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Once again, the county Meath venue hosted the finals, with 153 players competing across both events. 80 players took on the Christy O’Connor Jnr designed Championship Course in the Silver Medal Final, while 73 battled it out for the Bronze Medal Final on the historic Old Course.
In the Silver Medal, Kelly made a solid start, highlighted by three net birdies across her opening nine holes, but it was on the back nine where she would pull away from the pack.
Net birdies at 10 and 11 began an ideal turn for home, before a birdie on 17 and a closing net birdie on 18 completed a brilliant four under par net round of 68.
That finish proved enough for a two-shot victory over Josephine Morris (Mannan Castle), who secured second place with an excellent two under par net 70.
“I just had a good day,” said Kelly.
“It all came together on the day and I have to thank my husband who was caddie on the day. He definitely made me make a few choices that I probably wouldn’t have made on another day, but the choices paid off.
“I’m very proud to be accepting this today.”
As one of the mid-morning starters Collins was quick to set the pace in the Bronze Medal final, opening with a net eagle at the first hole before adding five more net birdies across her front nine to reach the turn at a net -1.
The Gort golfer added two further net birdies on the back nine, and though a net double bogey at 12 and a net bogey at 16 briefly threatened to halt her momentum, Collins steadied herself to close with two net pars to sign for a six under par net 67.
Carmel Rooney (Clones) produced a strong performance in pursuit of the leader, carding a net round of 69, but Collins’ -6 net total proved enough to seal a two-shot victory.
The win capped off a memorable few weeks for Collins, who also played a part in Gort’s All-Ireland triumphs in both the AIG Women’s Intermediate and Minor Foursomes All-Ireland finals.
“Things worked very well, front nine was exceptional so I think that stood to me in the end,” said Collins.
“First season playing competitive golf as part of Gort Golf Club, absolutely thrilled. Minor team, fantastic achievement and also for the Intermediate we had a super run of it and to top it off then this today, it was unexpected but delighted.
“My dad is here, my family, my friends and my partner. I wanted to say thanks very much for them making the effort to be here. Seeing familiar faces and having support makes all the difference.”
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